UFC 141 Results: Efrain Escudero Shows Heart of a Champion in Near Comeback

Jake Volkmann had an insurmountable points-lead against Efrain Escudero going into the third and final round and with the clock winding down at a rapid pace, Escudero nearly pulled off a miraculous comeback.

Volkmann had the W within his grasp.  Knockout and submission were the only outlets Escudero had to victory.  Volkmann knew that; he simply had to keep his distance and he’d earn another tally in the win-column, but despite being dominated all fight long, Escudero persevered.

Mark Wayne of Fightline.com described the comeback as it happened writing…

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“Escudero keeping to his feet.  He slaps on a choke out of nowhere and brings Volkmann to the mat with it.  It's a deep north-south choke, but Volkmann is defending well.  Escudero adjusts and puts him in a guillotine, but somehow Volkmann is hanging on.  Twenty seconds to go and it looks like Volkmann will survive the round.”

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While Volkmann should be applauded for being able to keep himself from passing out for almost a minute, Escudero deserves praise as well.

This is a guy who entered UFC in 2008 accomplished and full of potential.  Going into his first fight, Escudero was 11-0 in his professional fighting career and coming off a triumph in the Ultimate Fighter.  That streak didn’t last long, though, as he went 2-2 in UFC bouts and they released him from his contract.

After going 5-1 post-release, UFC finally brought him back, but he came up just short again vs. Volkmann.  Escudero avoided an early knockout multiple times in the fight, though.  He refused to go down and flip-flopped what began as a showcase for Volkman’s skill to Christmas turning the colors of his nickname.

Despite the loss, UFC would be wise to keep Escudero around.

David Daniels is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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